My Humble Abode

I thought I'd post a few pics of my room. My roommate (and owner of our home), Marifrasier, selected the wall color and I really love it. It's Sherwin Williams' Meadowlands, 1414. It's and old color, but they still sell it...and I'm so glad. It's very fresh and clean...a bit more mature then something I'd naturally select, or maybe I'm growing up? Ha! And I LOVE my pillows. I purchased the solid green ones last year (and am glad I can still use them!), Courtney found the shams for me at West Elm online, and I fell in love with the paisley printed one at Target. On a shopping excursion with Frances, I almost jumped for joy when I saw it!




My bed is on risers and I'm proud to say that I put it up on rises all by myself! I felt like quite the hoss. Ha! I needed to use the space under my bed as storage and it filled up quickly! Courtesy of a very generous gift from the Lightcaps, I was able to purchase this lovely bed skirt (and a few new bath towels!). It hides the clutter and has a bit of a tailored look.




My dear friend Marshall gave me this this print as a gift when I left Columbia. It's a print of her father's, Guy Lipscomb; he is an extraordinary watercolorist and does beautiful work -- he's the reason I like abstract art. The print is of a stairway outside a home in Charleston, which is all the more fitting for me since I'm back in Charleston. I was thrilled with how well it complemented my room.


And, yes, Jacqueline, that is the cross from Windy Gap women's weekend out and about in my room. I never thought I'd use it, but alas, I did!

The furniture had been my Grammy's and was promised to me. She's still alive and kickin' but was recently moved to an even more assisted living portion of her old folks home and so I got the goods. There's a lot of storage and I'm really thankful to have all the pieces! I really like the dark wood against the fresh color of the paint and white bedding.

And, yes, that is me taking the picture with my MacBook. I don't have a digi cam, so I use Photo Booth...why not?

Make new friends, but keep the old...

Some of you remember this old school Girl Scouts song. I was a proud scout for a few years...and this song is the thing I most remember, "Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver, and the other gold."

For some reason I thought of this song on my drive home from Spartanburg last night. As I got in the car to drive back to Charleston, I got really sad. I was so thankful for my time in the Burg that I didn't want to leave. The Lord had really given me some good friends and good times there...that season of my life was one of great contentment. I enjoyed being able to spend time at home, hanging out with Sullivan, cooking, etc. I think the challenge of leaving yesterday was three-fold. One. I spent time with my favorite Spartanburg friends (the Hansens, the Lightcaps, the Wests, the Palmers, the Shelton) at the oyster roast. Two. I was so busy with moving and family things that I never really had time to process leaving Spartanburg. Three. While Charleston has not been bad at all so far, I fear that it will be. My first year in Columbia was rough to say the least and I fear that this transition period might be the same.

I've been studying God's graciousness the past few days and He definitely showed me grace upon grace upon grace last night. As soon as I got in the car, I called a dear friend that listened and loved me AND invited me to supper in Columbia. I took her up on her offer and stopped by my beloved First Pres in time to hear the last half of the sermon. It was on my favorite verse in Romans. Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive a spirit of slaver to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father.'"

I love listening to Sinclair Ferguson preach. The thing that stuck out to me most was: This cry should not be, "Abba. Father." For the Christian, this cry should be, "ABBA! FATHER!" This is a loud cry, a cry of distress, a cry of need. You need this when life is hard, a mess, dark, in time of crisis. In these times, ask the Lord to come to your aid. And He will!" I just needed to hear it and the Lord knew it. Then I saw two of my dear friends, Margaret and Marshall, from Columbia and was able to cry on their shoulders and be myself and listen to them tell me truth. So good! These two older ladies have so much wisdom and love.

THEN I got to eat a delicious meal at Jenn and Nicole's. The food was excellent and the company delightful...the two of them and a newer buddy, Jonathan. Overall, it was just good for my heart to be with them. I forced myself to leave around 9:10 and listened to a Beth Moore talk on Esther in the car. Courtney gave me the talk before I left, and again, the Lord knew what I needed to hear. It was all about being courageous and strong and taking chances for the Lord -- saying NO to the things we fear and instead trusting where the Lord will lead us. When hard things happen to us...if the worst thing in the world happened to us, so what? We'd be drawn closer to the Lord because we would be utterly dependent on Him.

And it is exciting to see where the Lord will lead me and how He will use me and what He will teach me here in Charleston. There is much to be excited about! In time, finding a new church, making new friends, learning new things about the Lord and myself. Once again, and as always, He took care of me in very real and tangible ways last night and I'm so grateful. I made it home just after 11. Needless to say, I'm pretty tired this morning. But it was well worth it!

Cheesecake

I made a cheesecake last night for the first time. I must say, it was quite the labor of love. I hope that it (1) survives the car ride from Charleston to Spartanburg and (2) tastes good. My BFF and HLP* recently celebrated her 27th birthday and the cake of cheese is in her honor.

I know that I've only been away from Spartanburg for a week, but I must say that I'm quite excited about my return visit. It really became home to me for the time I was there. I learned my way around -- for the most part and made some really good friends. You know who you are (all 4 of you!). Courtney's having an oyster roast at her house and I'm pretty stoked. Can't wait to eat myself silly and hang out with good friends!

* In case you don't know what an HLP is, let me share with you. Heterosexual Life Partner. I know, I know...it's a bit silly sounding. But if you don't have one, you might want to consider getting one. My HETEROSEXUAL life partner and I lived together for 3 years in college, recently for a six-month stint that ended a week ago, and talk every day in some capacity. Basically, you do life together...but that's it...if you know what i mean. :)

Sleep Deprived

I forgot how working full time makes me so tired! I know I'll get back into the swing of things, but having been out of the working world for 15 months (grad school and then some), it's taking me a while...certainly more than a few days! It was amazing to me when I wasn't working how (in Columbia) I used to cook and grocery shop, exercise, entertain and have social things to do, do my laundry, etc...all while working 40 hours a week. Whilst writing my thesis or job hunting I could plan my entire day around one or two things that I needed to do. Those days are over!

Last night I had to pick some things up from Mom & Dad's house and had a nice home cooked meal over there. It's always a treat when you don't have to cook for yourself. Thanks mom! But I was ready for bed at 7:30. Whoa. I was determined to watch Top Chef though and forced myself to stay up until 10. Turns out it was a reunion episode...so I went to bed.

This morning I left 8 minutes later than yesterday and made it to the office around 7:55...perfect timing I suppose. When I went to grab my diet coke this morning, I realized that I didn't put any more in the fridge last night like I meant to. Oops! I grabbed a huge tervis tumbler. Of course I spilled a couple of sips worth in my lap on the way to work. Haha. Thank goodness for the napkins in my glove box!

Early bird gets the worm?

Well in order to not be late for the second day in a row, I left my house at 7 this morning. That is quite the feat for a non-morning person such as myself. That means the alarm starts going off at 5:30 and I snooze until 6. Drank my diet coke and ate breakfast in the car. Made it to BFE parking lot by 7:15 and to my office at 7:30.

Yesterday 5 minutes late; today 30 minutes early! Maybe one day I'll get it right? I hope that day is SOON. :)

So far the highlight of my day has been getting not one, but two complements on my new shoes (at the bus stop no less!). Courtney found these shoes for me at TJ Maxx -- super fun and funky. Cole Haan's. $40. Enough said.
Also, I think I'm going to lunch with some co-workers today...another first! (I hope I am because I didn't pack a lunch!)

PS

As bad as my day started off, I was glad to be looking good in a cute outfit! A new shirt and some old favorites -- perfect combination. As vain as it is, sometimes looking good really does make life more merry!

It's been a while...

Since my last post, a lot of changes have taken place.

One. I moved to James Island. I'm learning my way around with a little help from my friend Garmin. However, last night I was walking and I got very lost. Didn't help that it was completely black outside and sans my glasses I had a hard time reading street signs.

Two. My brother got engaged. Congrats Nathan and Shannon! Not sure when the wedding will be or where -- Michigan or Mt. Pleasant?!? I'll keep you posted.

Three. I started working. Monday consisted of orientation, parking pass office, parking in the parking garage only to realize I wasn't allowed to park there, so I ran up to the car before I got a ticket and moved to my designated lot. The Hagood lot. Its location: BFE. Near the Citadel. I'm sure I'll have more to come on this. Apparently, I'll need to be leaving my home around 7 to get there around 7:30 to make it to the office around 8. Oh yeah. Such a treat for a delightful morning person like myself. Then I hit up the office for a bit and was home by 2:30 for a nap! Yay!

Today was my first day in the office all day. It started off terrible! At some point I realized that I left my portfolio on the bus yesterday afternoon. Now this portfolio included my special one day parking pass, my important MUSC password, my dental insurance, and a plethora of other important goodies. Praise the Lord Marcia was available to help me and give me numbers to call! I found it and was able to get it back later in the day! Thanks, God! Then I realized I was going to be late...by about 5 minutes because traffic is ridiculous. Apparently Charleston is the new New York (paying for parking, crazy traffic, expensive housing, etc.) But my boss was gracious and we all had a good laugh at the portfolio situation. The rest of the day was pretty chill...

And it will start all over again bright and early in the morning!